Water Meters

The City of Sacramento,Department of Utilities is currently installing water meters, advancing metering communications technology, abandoning some backyard water mains, and installing new mains placed in the street right-of-way as part of the Meters Matter program. Work began in May 2017 and is scheduled to continue through the end of 2020.

Project Areas

Construction: What to Expect

When water meter construction takes place in your neighborhood, you will always have access to your home. However, access to parking on your street may be temporarily restricted while construction takes place.

Reminder, when construction occurs at your property:

Water could be shut off for up to 4 hours

Construction may require access to your yards

Sidewalk closures and traffic delays may occur

Construction Notifications

When construction is scheduled to begin at your property, you will be notified multiple times in advance, including: approximately two weeks before construction begins in your neighborhood, one week before construction, and again one day before the start of work.

Completed Project Areas

After Construction Information

Following meter installation, it is normal for sediment to be disturbed in the service lines, and as a result for the water inside of a home to appear cloudy or brown. The contractors flush the service lines at the hose bib located outside of each home. It is also recommended that property owners flush their inside lines by running cold water through a bathtub faucet until the water runs clear.

Following water main installation, the trench in the street will be temporarily filled. Final trench paving will be completed before project close-out.

For information on the City's street resurfacing program, visit Public Works' webpage.

Neighborhood OPEN HOUSES

Open house events will be held in each project area to provide an overview of upcoming construction activities and impacts. Department of Utilities representatives will be available during the open house to answer questions.

Check back soon for more open house dates.

Program history

In 2005, the City of Sacramento began one of its most significant capital improvement projects, the installation of water meters throughout the City. At that time, only 20% of the City’s water service connections were metered, so significant work was needed in order to meet state mandate (AB2572) by 2025.

In addition to the water meter installations, the City is also addressing its aging infrastructure and many project areas also include additional improvements. Improvements may include: relocating backyard water main pipelines to the street, and replacing older mains located within the street.

The state mandate does not provide funding to help offset costs for these improvements. Despite these challenges, the City has made steady progress over the past several years toward installing meters, as well as securing funding through rate increases, grants and bond sales to help accelerate the program and minimize the financial burden on customers.

The City has made steady progress toward installing meters. To date, 136,090 meters have been installed bringing the City to nearly 80% metered. In addition, the City has secured funding through rate adjustments and bond sales to install the remaining meters by 2020.

Customers who recently received installation of a water meter are now eligible to sign up and access My Water. My Water allows you to monitor your water usage, look for ways to conserve, and make informed decisions about water efficiency in your home.